Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Palm Beach Gardens, FL: $72.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Palm Beach Gardens, FL runs $72.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $150,193 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Palm Beach Gardens's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,117 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, will earn a median hourly rate of $72.21. This figure is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $73.02, highlighting a slight regional pay disparity. For controllers working part-time at three days a week, they can expect to manage their schedules around this pay rate, making it feasible to balance professional responsibilities with personal commitments. Those in this role often work in various environments, including en route center radar consoles and airport control towers, with hourly salaries ranging from $41.88 for entry-level positions up to $104.40 for top earners. It’s also important to acknowledge that these hourly figures are drawn from annual salary estimates, emphasizing the expected average earnings for controllers in various operational contexts in Palm Beach Gardens.
About the Palm Beach Gardens Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.88 | $335.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.99 | $415.94 |
| Median (P50) | $72.21 | $577.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.43 | $739.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.40 | $835.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Beach Gardens
Based on $72.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.21/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Beach Gardens, FL can expect to earn approximately $150,195 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,651. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Beach Gardens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Beach Gardens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,888.37 | $12,516 | $150,195 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,733.02 | $7,510 | $90,117 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,155.35 | $5,007 | $60,078 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Palm Beach Gardens) | $72.21 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Palm Beach Gardens, FL earn a median of $150,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.11% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Florida state average of $154,520.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.21/hr = $90,117/year (purchasing power: $89,402).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $150,195/year (purchasing power: $149,003).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Palm Beach Gardens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Palm Beach Gardens grew 20.4% from $58.47/hr (2019) to $70.40/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Beach Gardens metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Palm Beach Gardens
When examining the potential earnings for an air traffic controller working part-time, a typical 24-hour workweek at $72.21 results in a gross annual income significantly lower than that of a full-time employee. Full-time controllers can frequently generate extra income through overtime, often working 50-60 hours per week at time-and-a-half rates, which can elevate total compensation beyond the base hourly pay. This reality makes per diem air traffic controller pay in Palm Beach Gardens a crucial component of overall earnings, particularly for those taking on extra shifts or short-term contracts. Earnings can vary depending on the type of facility, with those employed at en route centers or high-density TRACONs often earning more due to the nature of the air traffic handled. Given that FAA controllers work under the FG pay scale, it’s wise for hourly workers to negotiate benefits carefully—balancing the immediate higher hourly rate of contractor positions with the job security and health insurance accompanying federal employment. Understanding these nuances can help aspiring controllers better navigate their career paths in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
More salary data for Palm Beach Gardens, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Palm Beach Gardens in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Palm Beach Gardens?
Are air traffic controllers in Palm Beach Gardens paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Palm Beach Gardens?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Palm Beach Gardens?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Palm Beach Gardens. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Palm Beach Gardens is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov